Chinese researchers have made significant strides in understanding the spatial distribution and driving factors behind the extinction risks of angiosperms—one of the most diverse groups of plants on Earth—according to the Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Angiosperms, encompassing everything from grasses and shrubs to large trees, are characterized by seeds enclosed within fruits, a unique double fertilization process, and an incredible variety of floral structures. They play a crucial role in ecosystems and human agriculture.
The recent study revealed that extinction risks for angiosperms in the Chinese mainland are significantly clustered in specific regions. Southern China, in particular, faces more severe endangerment compared to the northern areas.
Researchers identified vegetation structure as the primary factor influencing these extinction risks, with climate and evolutionary history also playing significant roles.
“China’s complex terrain and diverse climate make it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world,” said Zhao Lina, an engineer at the institute. “Conducting large-scale comprehensive studies on the extinction risks of species in China is of great significance for accurately predicting trends in biodiversity changes and scientifically formulating targeted conservation strategies.”
Biodiversity is a fundamental foundation for human survival and development. The loss of species diversity poses a serious threat to sustainable development, making it imperative to understand the mechanisms behind biodiversity loss. This requires investigating the distribution patterns and driving factors of species extinction risks.
In this study, researchers constructed a “tree of life” for 27,185 angiosperm species in the Chinese mainland by utilizing 2.02 million county-level distribution data points. This comprehensive approach allowed them to examine the spatial distribution characteristics and regional differences in extinction risks.
They integrated five key aspects—evolution, climate, vegetation structure, topography, and human impact—to build models adaptable to different spatial scales. This method enabled a thorough analysis of the drivers of extinction risks.
The findings indicate that on a regional scale, climatic factors primarily drive extinction risks in southern China, vegetation structural factors are predominant in the west, and evolutionary factors are more influential in the north.
“The study underscores the complexity and urgency of biodiversity conservation,” Zhao said. “It holds significant scientific value for predicting trends in biodiversity loss and formulating targeted conservation measures.”
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Reference(s):
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